Chapter 4. Three Years of Growth and Hidden Shadows
Three years had passed since that memorable day in the Star Dou Forest. Time within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan flowed steadily, yet for Ye Chen and Ning Rongrong these years had forged something far greater than mere childhood friendship.
They were now twelve years old. By the customs and laws of the Douluo Continent, this age marked full adulthood: from this point onward, individuals could formally marry, make independent decisions regarding cultivation, undertake serious missions, and even assume the role of family head. Ye Chen's frame had lengthened and broadened at the shoulders; his movements carried the assured grace that comes only from genuine combat experience and relentless discipline. His features remained refined, but his eyes had gained depth — a quiet shadow resided there that no one but himself could perceive.
Ning Rongrong had blossomed into a true beauty. Her skin was smooth and pale as fine porcelain, radiating health and purity. Her chest had developed to a full third size, perfectly accentuated by the clan's form-fitting dresses. A slender waist flowed gracefully into rounded hips, while her long, shapely legs appeared almost endless when she walked the estate's galleries. Her black hair, now reaching her lower back, cascaded in soft waves with every step. Her eyes — bright and lively — still regarded Ye Chen with the same warmth as in childhood, though now that gaze held an additional layer: feminine softness, a trace of shyness, and profound trust.
Over these three years their bond had deepened considerably. They were no longer simply best friends; they were inseparable. Ning Rongrong openly held Ye Chen's hand in full view of the elders, sat beside him at every meal, and requested his company on garden walks. The other young men of the clan had long since understood: the princess had chosen her companion. No one dared challenge that choice.
Recently both had broken through to the twentieth level of soul power and successfully acquired their second soul rings. The process had taken place under the strict supervision of the clan's two titled Douluo — Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Bone Douluo Gu Rong.
Ning Rongrong's second ring came from a 650-year-old Night Panther — a graceful, lightning-fast beast with midnight-black fur and eyes that burned violet. Absorption proceeded without complication. The skill she obtained was named "Speed."
"Upon activation it increases the speed of a chosen individual or group by thirty percent," she explained to Ye Chen that same evening as they sat together on the roof of one of the side pavilions beneath a starlit sky. "And for every additional ten levels of cultivation, the effect rises by another ten percent. So at thirtieth level it becomes fifty percent, at fortieth — seventy, and so on."
She smiled proudly.
"My first skill, 'Strength,' has also strengthened. Originally it granted only twenty percent additional power, but after reaching the twentieth level it increased to thirty percent. Now I can simultaneously boost both strength and speed — for you and for myself."
Ye Chen listened attentively. His own second ring had proven far more unusual.
The beast selected for him by Sword Douluo was a 690-year-old Fire Sub-Dragon — a powerful creature with scales the color of molten copper, short wings, and fiery breath. The battle had been grueling: Ye Chen relied on "Green Light" from his first ring to endure the onslaught, then delivered the decisive strike with all his accumulated soul power. The resulting ring was deep crimson with golden veins — a sign of exceptional quality.
The skill acquired was called "Green Dragon Transformation."
"Upon activation," Ye Chen said quietly, gazing at his palms, "all my physical attributes increase by three hundred percent, while defense rises by two hundred percent. My entire body becomes covered in a thin layer of nephrite-green energy resembling dragon scales. Pain and fatigue nearly vanish, and regeneration accelerates."
Ning Rongrong moved closer and rested her head on his shoulder.
"You keep growing stronger… Sometimes I worry that one day you will advance so far ahead that I won't be able to keep up."
Ye Chen turned toward her. Moonlight reflected in his eyes.
"Never," he replied firmly. "We will grow together. I will not allow you to fall behind."
He gently took her hand in his. Their fingers interlaced naturally, without need for words. Ning Rongrong did not pull away. Instead, she lightly squeezed his palm in return.
They remained seated like that for a long while, looking up at the stars above the clan estate. Below, in the gardens, leaves rustled softly, and somewhere in the distance came the faint sound of a training sword cutting through the night air — one of the older disciples practicing forms even at this hour.
Ye Chen felt resolve solidify within him. For three years he had consciously nurtured this connection. He knew the hat was waiting. He knew its true power would only manifest when betrayal, jealousy, and the pain of loss entered his life. Yet looking at Ning Rongrong now, he was certain: he would do everything in his power to delay that moment as long as possible. Or — if fate permitted — to prevent it entirely.
He wanted her to belong only to him. He wanted her smiles, her touches, her trust to be his alone.
But in the depths of his consciousness, where the Nephrite Hat lay dormant, another sensation stirred. Not a voice — merely a cold touch against his mind, reminding him: You may resist. But destiny has already been decided. And when the time comes… you will become invincible precisely because of it.
Ye Chen pushed the thought aside. For now she was here, in his arms. For now she was his alone.
He drew her a little closer.
"We will always be together," he whispered.
She smiled softly in the darkness.
"Do you promise?"
"I promise."
And beneath the starry sky of Douluo, their bond advanced one more step along a path that led toward the peaks — and perhaps toward the deepest abysses.